By Chris Sule.
People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nasarawa State have called on the government and relevant agencies to set up a proactive mechanism to tackle stigmatization and violation of the rights of the vulnerable groups in the rural areas.
Nasarawa State Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV and Aids in Nigeria NEPWHAN Mrs Ruth Dauda made the call during an advocacy visit to the National Human Rights Commission in Lafia.
He explained that the Network of People living with HIV and Aids in Nigeria NEPWHAN is the coordinating network for the implementation of the two-year grant for the Resilient for Sustainable System for Health, COVID-19 Response Mechanism focusing on strengthening facilities and ensuring access to healthcare for vulnerable groups in rural areas.
Mrs David said the Project is being implemented in five local government areas of Nasarawa State with fifteen community-based civil society organizations and a five-member advocacy team which has been engaged in a series of activities including visits to relevant agencies to find ways of addressing issues bordering on gender-based violence and protection of the rights of vulnerable groups as they relate to access to public infrastructure and healthcare.
The State Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV and Aids in Nigeria NEPWHAN, Mrs Ruth Dauda while leading a team of advocacy groups to the National Human Rights Commission stressed the need for close collaboration to step up sensitization on the need for the victims of gender-based violence and human rights abuse to always speak up to authorities for help
A member of the advocacy group Mrs Mary Asheneye stated that most rural communities across the State especially persons affected by Aids and Tuberculosis face stigmatization and inadequate care hence the need for collective action to change the narrative.
Nasarawa State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission Mr. Nduka Ezenwugo represented by a Principal Investigation Officer Mr. Abel Okopi noted that the commission would not relent in discharging its mandate of tackling cases of human rights abuse in line with the global standard.
Mr Ezenwugo who emphasized that the services of the National Human Rights Commission remain free of charge commended the advocacy group for capturing human rights issues in their programme.
The meeting featured discussions including questions and answers on the processes involved in the prosecution of cases by the National Human Rights Commission.